National Report for Serbia published as part of the WOMEX project

As part of the [[nt]]WOMEX – The Role of Women in the Competitiveness of Exporting SMEs[[/nt]] project, implemented through the Interreg Europe[[/nt]] program, the National Report for Serbia has been published. The report presents the results of research on the position of women in export-oriented small and medium-sized enterprises and provides insight into their representation in management and export roles, professional development opportunities, and the challenges they face in international business.

Research results show that women play a significant role in the export activities of Serbian companies. In more than half of the analyzed companies (56.9%), women are the individuals with ultimate responsibility for managing export operations. At the same time, women make up the majority of employees in export departments, while middle management remains predominantly male.

The research also showed that women continue to encounter numerous challenges in their professional development. The most frequently cited obstacles include a lack of self-confidence, difficulty balancing work and private life, limited opportunities for advancement, as well as the presence of gender stereotypes and the so-called "glass ceiling."

One of the key findings relates to the development of competencies in international business. The report indicates that a small number of export managers have attended specialized training in foreign trade and internationalization, which confirms the need for additional support programs and strengthening the capacity of companies to enter international markets.

The results of the National Report will serve as the basis for preparing recommendations to improve the City of Belgrade's Employment Program and Action Plan, by developing measures that will contribute to the economic empowerment of women, increase their participation in exports, and create a more supportive environment for the development of export-oriented small and medium-sized enterprises.

The National Report for Serbia is available for download in the [[nt]]WOMEX Library[[/nt]].

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